Middle Corridor – interesting alternative to regular transit routes, says Polish ambassador

BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 1. The Trans-Caspian
International Transport Route, or the so-called Middle Corridor, is
an interesting alternative to the regular transit routes, Rafał
Poborski, Polish Ambassador to Azerbaijan, told Trend.

“After the Russian aggression against Ukraine in February 24,
2022, and due to international sanctions that affect connections
via Belarus and Russia, the Middle Corridor is an interesting
alternative. Poland’s interest in the development of this corridor
was confirmed by signing a letter of intent on cooperation between
the Baku International Sea Trade Port and the Polish Port of Gdansk
in 2022,” he said.

According to the ambassador, working groups of Azerbaijani and
Polish ports have already held a few meetings to discuss further
cooperation.

“Poland and Azerbaijan are located at the crossroads of
international transport corridors that link Europe and Asia, so
growing roles of our countries as logistic and distribution centers
are natural. Within the emerging and developing transport
corridors, we support the development of transport and logistics
cooperation with Azerbaijan while also building its position as an
international transport and logistics hub between East and West,”
Poborski added.

Meanwhile, back in July 2022, Azerbaijan’s Baku International
Sea Trade Port and the Polish Port of Gdansk have signed a letter
of intent on cooperation. It was agreed that the signed document
would serve as a foundation for enhancing the cooperation between
the ports, aimed at bolstering regional connectivity and increase
cargo flow by utilizing new alternative transportation routes to
link Asia and Europe.

The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that
connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the
region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern
Corridor and Southern Corridor.

The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries
such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes
through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye before
reaching Europe. The Middle Corridor offers a land route that
connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe,
bypassing the longer maritime routes.

The route has been actively operating in recent years, steadily
increasing cargo transportation from China to Europe via the
Caspian-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Black Sea/Türkiye. A total of 2.76
million tons of cargo passed through the corridor in 2023, and
plans for 2024 are for 4.2 million tons.